Guatemala

Guatemala stands out among Latin American nations, boasting a diverse geography and unique history. Located in Central America, Guatemala borders Mexico to the north, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Honduras and El Salvador to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Its nickname, “The Land of Eternal Spring” comes from its year-round mild climate. Climate & Geography The summer/dry months (November to April) in Guatemala are typically warm, with daytime highs reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the coast, dropping to the mid-70s at night. The winter/rainy months (May through October) are wet and mild, with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. Winter may be the rainy season, but that doesn’t mean it’ll rain all day! Instead, expect mixed sun and cloudy skies in the mornings with rain showers likely in the afternoons. Guatemala’s vibrant landscapes are home to five distinct ecosystems and over 1,250 fauna species. Along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, miles of breathtaking beaches stretch up and down the coastlines. Further inland, Guatemala has 22 volcanoes, with 7 of them still active. Many adventurous visitors like to hike Pacaya, a popular volcano near Guatemala City. Outside of the urban centers lies the Maya Biosphere Reserve – the largest area of tropical forest remaining in Central America that stretches across a fifth of the country’s total land area. Because of the amazing wildlife, temperate climate…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Guatemala: Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Guatemala, but is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Guatemala. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Guatemala, though some employers typically prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a near-native level to be considered for English teaching jobs. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Guatemala on a tourist visa (most English teachers work on a tourist visa in Guatemala – more information in the Applying for the Visa section). TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate is highly advantageous for all positions and may be required by individual schools. Age Teachers of all ages can find opportunities in Guatemala, though teachers over the age of 60, which is the national re…

The ESL job market in Guatemala is still emerging. However, as with many other countries around the world and in the region, the tourism industry is growing steadily which is helping create a stable economy and the need for English language instruction. As a result, there are more and more private language schools opening with the need for native English speakers; however, the demand for paid teachers is not as strong as it is in other countries in Central America such as Costa Rica or Panama. Plan to focus your job search in the larger cities of Guatemala for more opportunities and job openings. Guatemala City boasts the biggest market as it is the country’s capital and holds the most people, however, Antigua and Quetzaltenango are also popular tourist destinations that may have some open positions as well. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Most TEFL-certified English teachers will find jobs at private language schools in Guatemala, teaching mainly business professionals and adult students. Many school-aged students will attend private English language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public schools or international school…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Guatemala, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Guatemala Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. *ITA does not review applications for government-run programs such as Fulbright or Peace Corps. Please refer to the program’s website for application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Guatemala and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Guatemala is 3,700 – 4,400 GTQ per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Severance Pay Upon the successful completion of a full teaching contract, some employers might offer a completion or re-signing bonus. Not all schools will offer this perk and some schools will determine your bonus amount via a performance review. You’ll want to make sure that any bonus details are clearly stipulated in your contract be…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Guatemala and then take a look at the required documents for a tourist visa. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Guatemalan consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? A tourist visa allows you to stay in Guatemala temporarily for purposes of rest or recreation for up to 90 days for most nationalities. The majority of English teachers work in Guatemala on a tourist visa, especially if they are working in a private language school. Many English teachers in Guatemala are hired by an employer “under the table” on a tourist visa. Though this might sound like a slightly questionable practice if you’re unfamiliar with it, in Guatemala it’s a fairly standard routine for schools and teachers. How do you get one? First, check whether your citizenship allows you to enter Guatemala visa-free, or if you need to apply for a tourist visa in advance of arriving in Guatemala. If you need to apply for your tourist visa in advance, you’ll have to submit a visa application form — as well as any other required application documents such as yo…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer (very rare in Guatemala), it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Guatemala’s public healthcare system is universal and free for residents, but tourists are only allowed to utilize it in the case of emergencies. Thus, you’ll likely want to look into private health insurance options before traveling to Guatemala, and do your own research in order to determine which health insurance plan abroad might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out this article…

You have finally made it to the end of the Guatemala section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Guatemala. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Guatemala to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use these timelines to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring seasons for English teachers in Guatemala are February through March and July through August. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Finding a Job on the Ground The peak hiring season for English teachers in Guatemala is February through March and July through August. If you are looking to secure a job on the ground in Guatemala, you will want to be there during one of these months. Avoid applying to jobs in Guatemala in late December to early February, as well as the Easter holiday, as most schools will be closed for the holidays. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni , watch alumni videos , and read about alumni experiences ___ Read thr…

The village I live in is super small, so the produce stand is within walking distance to my house. So I go pick up my ingredients for breakfast every morning and then I will go to the lake. Brooke S. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala I would definitely recommend learning Spanish here, because most people don't speak English [in ]. Mostly maybe the tourists or like the English teachers. So learn the basics so you can get around in supermarkets, restaurants, [and have] basic conversations. Claudia D. Panajachel, Guatemala Guatemala happened to be my first stop and I just never left. I fell in love with the lake and a lot of people come here and they're meant to stay for a few weeks and they never leave because it's so beautiful... In San Marcos, [there is] such a tight knit community of expats who live here. So there's always something going on. There's, you know, yoga, different workshops you can go to... so if you do travel here or you're interested in moving here, you will most definitely make friends. Brooke S. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala